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Funding Opportunities

There are numerous grant and funding opportunities available details of which can be found in dedicated directories and websites to help you with your search for grant funding; many of which are free to access.

Grant funding search websites (not all sites are free though some do offer a free trial period):

GRANTnet

J4bcommunity

SCVO Funding Portal

National Lottery Funding Finder

Heritage Fund Directory

Grant Makers Online

Trust Fund

Government Funding

Grants for individuals

Grants Online (free trial)

Directory of Social Change (free trial)

Grant Finder (free trial)

Green Grant Machine

Foundation Scotland

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland - Charities working in communities across Scotland are invited to have an online chat about funding opportunities with Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland. 

Every month, the grant maker hosts advice surgeries using online face to face technology. Charities with a Skype account or Google Hangout are invited to book an appointment at any of the 10 monthly surgeries between March and December. The Foundation is particularly keen to hear from grassroots charities which benefit disadvantaged people and who need funding to continue their work.

Online advice surgeries will be held on 4 March, 1 April, 6 May, 3 June, 1 July, 5 August, 2 September, 7 October, 4 November, 2 December. Appointments last 45 minutes and can be booked by calling 0131 444 4020 or emailing enquiries@ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk

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Funding for groups/organisations:

National Lottery Grant Programmes

National lottery finding is distributed by 12 lottery funders across the UK; the main distributors for Scotland are Big Lottery, Creative Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Sport Scotland.

If you have a project idea but not sure which lottery programme it best falls under then visit the National Lottery Funding Finder.

Big Lottery

Big Lottery - http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland

Some examples of Big Lottery grant programmes:

Awards for All - A quick and easy way to get small Lottery grants of between £500 and £10,000

Communities and Families Fund - Supporting projects that help families and communities give children the best start in life. Grants available from £250 - £10,000.

Growing Community Assets: Investing in Communities - Supporting communities to take more control through ownership of assets. Grants available from £10,000 - £1 million.

Life Transitions: Investing in Communities – Supporting people at key times of change, helping them make their lives better for the future. Grants available from £10,000 - £1 million.

Supporting 21 st Century Life : Investing in Communities - It aims to improve the quality of family life by helping families most in need with early action to give children a better chance in life. Funding projects that build stronger families and stronger communities. Grants available from £10,000 - £1 million.

Investing in Ideas - Enabling organisations to develop ways of working that bring improvements to communities. Grants of £500 to £10,000 awarded to organisations to enable them to think about, develop and test new ideas or improved ways of working that will bring real improvements to communities, and the lives of people most in need.

Scottish Land Fund - The Scottish Land Fund will support rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. It will provide practical support and funding to enable local people to work together to develop their ideas and aspirations and plan and complete viable land and land assets acquisition projects. Grant available from £10,000 - £750,000.

Young Start - is a grants programme that distributes money from dormant bank accounts. It aims to create opportunities for children and young people aged between 8 and 24 to help them realise their potential. Grants from £10,000 - £50,000.

For full list Big Lottery grant programmes visit the Big Lottery Funding Finder

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Launches New Five Year Funding Programme

BIG Scotland has announced a new £250 million five-year funding programme aimed at helping communities and individuals most in need throughout the country.

The Improving Lives  fund has been designed to support organisations to deliver activities which will help people in Scotland to overcome difficulties and become more resilient. Local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, including charitable organisations, based and working in Scotland can apply for one of two levels of funding:

Medium grants of between £10,000 and £150,000.

Large grants of between £150,000 and £1 million.

Grants are available for up to five years, and priority will be given to both smaller organisations that have not received Big Lottery Funding before and organisations that are working at a local level.

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Funding will be awarded for activity which:

Supports children, young people and families currently experiencing challenging circumstances.

Supports people who have experienced abuse.

Tackles loss, isolation and loneliness.

Challenges discrimination and supports people affected by this.

The Community-led Activities fund has been established to support communities in Scotland to improve the places in which they live and the wellbeing of those most in need. Voluntary and community organisations in Scotland that are based in the local area they serve and are run by local people are eligible to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £150,000 for a period of between three and five years.

To be eligible, their work must achieve the following outcomes:

Everyone in the community has the opportunity to influence and get involved in community-led activity.

People in the community are better connected and work together to improve their well-being.

For both the Improving Lives and the Community-led Activities fund, applicants must show how their activities are in line with the Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s refreshed and redeveloped approach to funding.

BIG’s new priorities are for activities that are:

People-led – meaningfully involving beneficiaries the development, design and delivery of activity.

Strengths-based – making the most of, and building on, the skills and experiences of people and assets within communities.

Connected – having a good understanding of what others are doing locally, developing good working relationships and complementing and adding value to other relevant activity in the area.

Applicants must contact the BIG Advice Team in the first instance to request an application form and discuss their proposal.

Further information is available on Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s website.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Heritage Lottery

HLI offer a range of different grant programmes with grants from £3,000 to over £5million including:

Sharing Heritage   (£3,000 to £10,000)

The Sharing Heritage programme is for any type of project related to national, regional or local heritage in the UK

Our Heritage   (£10,000 to £100,000)

The Our Heritage programme is for any type of project related to national, regional or local heritage in the UK

Heritage Grants   (Grants of over £100,000)

This is our open programme for grants over £100,000, for any type of project related to the national, regional, or local heritage in the UK.

Young Roots   (£10,000 to £50,000)

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The Young Roots programme is for projects that engage young people with heritage in the UK.

Heritage Enterprise   (£100,000 to £5million)

Heritage Enterprise supports enterprising community organisations across the UK to rescue neglected historic buildings and sites and unlock their economic potential.

Start-up grants   (£3,000 - £10,000)

Start-up grants are for anyone thinking about creating a new organisation to look after or engage people with heritage, or existing groups taking on new responsibilities for heritage.

Grants for Places of Worship   (£10,000 to £250,000)

The Grants for Places of Worship programme is for projects that involve urgent structural repairs to places of worship that are at risk. As part of a repair project we can also fund work to encourage greater community use and engagement.

Skills for the Future   (£100,000 to £1million)

Skills for the Future funds projects which provide training placements to meet skills shortages in the heritage sector, and fully support trainees to learn practical skills.

The Scottish Community Project Grant - The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, in association with the Robertson Trust, is seeking to promote the involvement of local people in the design, use and management of buildings and spaces as well as in the decision making process which affects their local environment.

The Scottish Community Projects Fund can award grants up to a maximum of £2,000.00 or half the cost (whichever is the lower) for a local Community Group to employ an architect or any other building professional, to prepare a feasibility study for building or environmental improvement projects or employment or other initiatives which have social benefit.

When such a study has been completed, the Community Group will have a clearer understanding of all the issues relating to building or environmental projects including their own requirements, responsibilities, long-term sustainability, timescales, programming, project management and will be in a stronger position to seek funds for the project itself from more major funders.

Please contact Charlene Rankin at crankin@rias.org.uk for Application Form and Guidelines in Word Format. When required, assistance and advice from professional assessors can be made available from the pre-application stage to the completion of the study.

Other resources you might find useful include a Good Practice Guide.

SCPF Application Form

SCPF Application Guidelines

SCPF Good Practice Guide

Asda Carrier Bag Community Grants all proceeds from the sale of the 5p single-use carrier bags across their 62 stores in Scotland will be used for charitable causes. The Asda Carrier Bag Community Grants will provide up to £2,000 to help projects and good causes in their local communities.

Priorities

Grants can help meet a wide range of costs for community groups, including: general running costs, training, equipment, materials; marketing and awareness raising initiatives, training and community events.

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Exclusions

The programme does not fund the following: Individuals Groups whose annual income in the current or previous financial year is over £250,000 Groups with fewer than three members on their management committee or board Groups whose grant request is for the advancement of religion or politics (including requests to

support the core activities of religious or political groups) The repayment of loans or payments of debt Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we have made a decision on an

application (retrospective funding) Trips abroad Payments towards areas generally understood to be the responsibility of statutory authorities

including schools i.e projects that take place in school, during school hours and/or only for the benefit of pupils will not be considered.  PTAs/Parent Councils can apply if appropriately constituted but must evidence the project has genuine wider community benefit.

Groups who will then distribute the funds as grants or bursaries General fundraising appeals or activities Applications that are for the sole benefit to flora and fauna.  Applications are invited to demonstrate

the direct benefit to the local community/and or service users in cases where the grant application is concerend with flora and fauna

Projects which do not benefit people in Scotland

This is a rolling programme with no published deadlines and decisions will be made on a quarterly basis by panels of Asda colleagues. Please read the guidelines and apply using the online application form.

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards

Charitable groups that are working locally across the UK to support health, opportunities for young people or environmental sustainability can apply now for a grant from the Community Awards programme.

Funding is normally offered twice a year and is aimed at projects that provide practical benefits, such as equipment and resources.Registered charities and not for profit organisations with a turnover of less than £5 million can apply for one-off grants of between £500 and £2,500. (Organisations which have received an award within the last three years may not apply for this round.)The Spring round is aimed at projects that directly benefit health, environmental sustainability or opportunities for young people in the local communities in areas where Tesco has stores in the UK.Projects that may receive support include the following: Health

Improving diets and encouraging healthy eating. Involvement in sport and physical activity.

Opportunities for young people Education and training programmes which develop key skills that prepare young people for work,

no matter what career they want to pursue. Support to vulnerable, disengaged groups and young people in long term unemployment. Learning programmes for young people with disabilities. Access to information, skills and opportunities young people need to start successful careers.

Environmental sustainability Helping people to reduce the amount of food they throw away at home. Helping people to recycle more or save more energy or water. Local eco initiatives in the community that contribute to global environmental impact. Projects that encourage sustainable living.

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Wildlife conservation projects.

For deadlines and full details along with the online application form can be found on the Tesco Charity Trust website

Living Waterways Awards - The Awards recognise the most inspiring and exciting waterway-based projects across the UK.

Looking for innovation, determination and partnership working. Entries welcome from projects, schemes or initiatives of any size from across the UK that are located on, or immediately adjacent to, an inland waterway.

From inspirational story-telling to dedicated volunteer-led schemes; innovative design and construction projects to pioneering environmental initiatives, there are seven award categories up for grabs:

Art & Interpretation Contribution to the Built Environment Community & Volunteering Education & Learning Natural Environment Recreation & Tourism Restoration & Historic Environment

The closing date for entries is Friday 13 March 2015. For further information visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/living-waterways-awards-2015

Lloyds Bank Foundation Enable grants programme was created to help small and medium-sized charities who have been hit hard by cuts and changes to funding and commissioning to have a more stable future. ‘Enable’ is a rolling grants programme and has £2.5 million still available to award in 2015.The funding is intended to strengthen charities and charitable incorporated organisations (with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million) that are working with people experiencing issues of multiple disadvantage at points of transition but have also identified clear development areas which will support their growth.Enable grants are for up to £15,000 over two years and are available to charities working with people aged 17 years and over who are experiencing at least one of the following:

Have been abused or are at risk of abuse Are victims of sexual exploitation or trafficking Are ex-offenders or those at risk of offending Are long term unemployed and are considered to be furthest away from the labour market Are leaving care Are homeless Have learning disabilities Have mental health and wellbeing issues Have addictions Are refugees or asylum seekers Have caring responsibilities Are older and are losing independence Are isolated and vulnerable Have severe financial difficulty as a compounding disadvantage

Applications can be submitted at any time. There are no deadlines; however, enquiries should be submitted by the end of July 2015 to ensure a decision will be reached within the current year.Full details can be found on the Lloyds Bank Foundation website

The Lloyds TSB Foundation

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The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland has opened the Henry Duncan Awards programme to applications from registered charities in Scotland.

Grassroots charities with an income of less than £500,000 a year who are operating in Scotland and delivering programmes or services that are clearly focused on improving the quality of life for people who are disadvantaged can apply now for grants of up to £7,000.

Eligible projects must be able to show that at least one of the following objectives will be achieved:

Improve family welfare.

Reduce isolation.

Improve health and wellbeing.

Increase independence or life skills.

Improve community cohesion and integration.

Priority will be given to applications that are focussed on supporting:

Vulnerable children and young people.

Isolated older people.

People debilitated as a result of a disability or mental health issue.

Families in poverty, particularly as a result of welfare reform.

Carers.

The first deadline for applications: 16 November 2015, 25 January 2016, 14 March 2016, 16 May 2016, 18 July 2016 and 19 September 2016.

The Foundation also provides advice surgeries in Edinburgh and Glasgow or by Skype.

Full details can be found on the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland website

Arts Specific Funding

Creative Scotland Funding

As well as distributing lottery funding Creative Scotland manage a number of other grant-giving programmes. Funding is open to individuals, groups or organisations to apply for support for a wide range of activity. Click on the programmes below for more information about what each will support and how to apply.

Regular funding supports a breadth and range of arts and creative organisations and sustainable environments through which artists and creative people can deepen and deliver their work, their engagement with the public, and their professional networks. Regular funding provides 3-year funding for organisations, and is one of the key means by which the ambitions, priorities and connecting themes highlighted in the Creative Scotland 10 Year Plan will be addressed. It provides stable support for a range of organisations and consortia across Scotland who make an important contribution to the development of the arts, screen and creative industries, enabling them to plan and deliver activities over a 3-year period.   

Open Programme This fund supports the arts, screen and creative industries, with projects that help them explore, realise and develop their creative potential, widen access to their work, and enrich Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive creative nation connected to the world. We want to encourage applicants to generate great ideas and projects that we can then help them to make happen.

These ideas can fall within a broad spectrum of activity, and Open Project Funding will support:

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Projects that develop skills or artistic practice

Projects that create something new and of high quality

Projects which either present work to audiences, or which try to develop and reach new audiences (including those hard to reach)

Projects which encourage more people to get involved in artistic and creative activity.

Support will be available for activity and projects of different size and scale – and for up to 2 years in duration.

Targeted Funding

Targeted funding addresses specific activities and development needs in a sector, specialism, and/or geographic area, and can be shaped in response to a sectoral reviews, strategic planning or consultation with external partners. A full list of our targeted funds can be found in our Annual Plan 2014-15, and outlined below are the main funds with some form of open application. Additionally, a small number of funding programmes which have shared goals with other agencies will fall under Targeted Funding - including a number of funds – sometimes called ‘devolved funds’ - which are delivered by partner organisations. You can see a list of these funds here.

Sports Specific Funding

Sports Scotland Funding

As well as distributing lottery funding Sports Scotland manage a number of grant-giving programmes and other sources of funding for organisations involved in Scottish sport. Funding is open to clubs and individuals.

sports match is an investment programme managed by sportscotland since 1992 through funding from the Scottish Government.  The programme aims to encourage commercial businesses to invest in grassroots sport (defined as activity in which beginners and novices participate i.e. those that are new to the sport, or who wish to improve basic skills), through sponsorship to focus specifically on increasing club membership, participation and enhance the quality of experience for participants.

sportscotland will invest through sportsmatch by matching sponsorship in cash or in kind between the value of £500 - £10,000 on a £ for £ basis.

This programme covers the provision or upgrading of all facilities for the general community.  In the main, proposals will be led by local authorities, clubs, trusts and the like. 

Sport Facilities This funding stream funds developments that are for the public good and will provide equitable opportunities for increased sports participation by the community at local level.

Priority will be given to projects that have established/will establish with the sports programmes and/or initiatives operated by the local authority, national governing body for sport and their associates/partners.

Applicants need to demonstrate that the proposed development is for the public good and will provide equitable opportunities for increased sports participation by the community at local level.

This funding stream is for capital expenditure only. We distribute this in accordance with the Government’s policy directions for lottery and funds for capital expenditure on sports projects which benefit the community. We cannot fund projects that are already underway, where building contracts are already let.

Related content

Sport Facilities Fund Projects Over £100,000 Outline Application Form Sports Facilities Fund Guidelines

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Sport Facilities Fund Projects Under £100,000 Application Form

The Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund supports the Scottish Government’s legacy ambitions to encourage more people to be active and take part in sport. Physical activity can help people become healthier and fitter. The Fund will do this by providing funding for capital projects which create or improve places in local communities where people can go to get active. Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 are available for a very wide range of community-led projects such as new bike or skate parks, outdoor adventure facilities, walking routes, or new projects within school estates. (For projects that require funding of less than £10,000 please apply to Awards for All.) In total, £10 million is available until 2015.

People’s Postcode Lottery

People’s Postcode lottery ticket sales support thirteen Trusts, these Trusts then provide grants to charities and community projects as well as the Small Grant Programme and Dream Fund:

SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME: £500 - £20,000

The Postcode Trust - The Small Grants Programme has four funding rounds a year

The Small Grants Programme exists to try to make the world a better place through short-term, project specific funding.

Through this programme, they provide funding for projects of up to twelve months in length, ranging from £500 up to £20,000 to registered charities, community and voluntary groups, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations. The application form is only available between the opening and closing dates of funding rounds.

Please refer to the guidance notes on the Small Grants page for further information.

If you wish to discuss a future application or have any other questions about applying for funding you can contact the Trust Helpdesk:

By e-mail: info@postcodetrust.org.uk

By phone: 0131 555 7287 at the following times:

Mon:  10am-12pm  and 2-5pm, Wed: 10am-12pm  and 2-5pm, Fri: 10am-12pm  and 2-5pm

Digital Scotland

The Challenge Fund is a fund of £200,000 (per annum) aimed at groups and organisations that work closely with local communities, e.g. social clubs, sports clubs and arts /cultural organisations. It will enable them to digitise content, build digital networks and improve the digital skills of their members in order that they might continue to thrive in the digital world.

SSE (Scottish and Southern Electricity)

Employee Volunteering - SSE support charities, organisations and schools, giving our time and skills to help our local communities. If you are not-for-profit organisation or group and could use SSE volunteers for a specific project that can be completed in a day or so contact us to see how we can help.

SSE Sustainable Development Fund - Highland fund criteria

The fund is expected to re-open in Autumn 2015.

Following consultation with regional stakeholders, the following ‘priority areas’ have been established and any successful application must fit in to at least one of these areas:

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1. Increase job opportunities and employment in Scotland – through activities focused on increasing an individual’s chances of entering employment and/or progressing further in employment through apprenticeship schemes, training programmes or similar.

2. Enable communities to develop renewable energy schemes – which are of benefit to the local community and could generate social, environmental or economic benefit

3. Enhance Scotland’s natural and built environment – for the benefit of local people and the attraction of visitors; activities that retain, enhance or build upon natural and/or local heritage.

Highland Council Funding

Highland Council offers a range of funding see funding.

Discretionary Ward Funding

Each of the 22 council wards receives a discretionary budget and it will be for each ward to consider when they wish to commit funds.

Examples of activity previously funded:

Beach cleaning  Christmas events and lights  Equipment for pre-school groups Firework displays

Community Challenge Fund - £1 million each year to help community groups who wish to run council services in their area. Funding provided as one-off contribution to get a project started. If a group was to run a service, then the council pay you to run this. This payment will depend on what service the group can offering and how much the council currently pay for the service.

Sport Council Grants grant funding for up to £500 for Equipment, Coaching, Event and Individuals Achieving Excellence.

Arts promoters Grant to help with the cost of organising an annual programme of performances or exhibitions by visiting groups and artists. Up to £1,500 (75% can be paid in advance)

Grants for Tourism

This is a grant to encourage tourism related projects among tourism businesses and community tourism projects.

Financial support of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs or £10,000 (whichever is the lower amount).

Assistance may be available, where appropriate, for longer-term projects (to a maximum of three years), subject to budget availability and normally with an annual limit of £10,000 or 50 per cent of costs.

New fund - Carbon Clever Community fund will launch in November 2014

Carbon CLEVER Community Grand Fund will support communities to reduce carbon emissions and provide access to a fund that will enable them to draw in additional match funding. There is £200k allocated to the fund which will be split over two rounds 6th April 2015 and 5th October 2015.

The grant fund with be aligned with the Carbon CLEVER initiative, based on supporting project that address the following principles: Carbon reduction, Leadership, Engagement, Value for money, Economic benefit, Raise awareness and promote behaviour change.

The Highland Trust Fund - the funding will be derived from community benefit from renewable projects, no rounds are currently announced as it is fully dependant on developers providing support via community benefit to the fund.

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The fund will support the following projects: Financial and other support for business and community projects Alternative and renewable energy Community ownership or assets Tackling fuel poverty Skill development and apprenticeships.

For further information contact your area Ward Manager – charles.stephen@highland.gov.uk

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Funding priorities - grants focus on projects that get more people and communities actively involved in and caring for Scotland's nature and landscapes.  SNH will fund a variety of projects that help to deliver key outcomes for people and nature. They are:

Outcome 1 - more people experiencing, enjoying and valuing nature and landscapes

Outcome 2 - improve the quality and management of Scotland's nature and landscapes

Outcome 3 - nature and landscapes making an increased contribution to the Scottish economy

Outcome 4 - better places in which to live, work and visit are created

To get more information on our priorities and the activities we are more interested in funding, please see Funding priorities  guidance.  It includes information on:

funding priorities who can apply and what sort of work will be fund making our decision measuring success

The Co-operative

The Co-operative Membership Community Fund - This scheme helps community groups, local clubs and self-help organisations to continue doing the good work they do. Groups can apply for grants of up to £2,000 and use the money to fund anything from new equipment to sports gear, travel costs or rent.

Aviva Announces Launch of £1m UK Wide Community Fund

Aviva is the UK’s largest general insurer and one of Europe’s leading life and pensions providers. As a business, Aviva wants to be recognised for making a positive contribution to society and, as part of this commitment, is making £1 million available for its 2015 Community Fund.Funding is available to voluntary and community organisations for projects that will make a real difference to local residents. Grants are available to support all kinds of projects providing they are causes that the community really cares about and charitable in nature. To be eligible to apply, groups must be a not-for-profit organisation or a group for community good, and have been in existence for at least six months.Groups can apply for grants of up to £25,000. There are four levels of funding available: 200 awards of up to £1,000. 24 awards of up to £5,000.  20 awards of up to £10,000.  4 awards of up to £25,000.

For deadlines see website.

Eaga Charitable Trust Launches 2015 Grants Programme

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Not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply now for grants to support projects that contribute to understanding and addressing the causes and effects of fuel poverty.Eaga Charitable Trust is an independent grant-giving trust that currently supports projects and research that contribute to combating fuel poverty and ensuring that energy services are fair and accessible for all groups in society.The Trust gives priority to funding proposals that have the potential to inform or influence national perceptions and policies and have a wide geographic focus.Grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are available for work based in the UK and other European Union countries. The Trust strongly encourages applicants to seek co-funding of projects wherever possible. There is no minimum or maximum duration of grant, although typically projects span between one and three years.

Applications should consist of one or more of the following elements: Rigorous academic and/or public policy-related research. Robustly evaluated action projects which either build on existing proven models or offer innovative

new models with the aim of achieving population-based effective interventions. Dissemination and promotion of proven good practice, for example through appropriate workforce

interventions, social media, toolkits including online tools and workshops including online congresses and webinars.

Technical support for, including scoping of, novel and innovative pilots and demonstration projects and the evaluation of them.

The priority areas are: Fuel poverty and health and wellbeing. Fuel poverty and household vulnerability. Fuel poverty and climate change and sustainability. Fuel poverty and rural communities.

The deadline for applications is 1 June 2015 (5pm). Grant awards will be made by mid July 2015.Full details can be found on the Eaga Charitable Trust website

Community Capacity and Resilience Fund The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is managing the Community Capacity and Resilience Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. The scheme aims to increase the capacity and resilience of communities and local VCSE organisations to provide people with the support and skills they need. The Fund has a total of £144,500 for 2015/16 to support innovative and creative projects which have a preventative impact in communities, combat inequality and promote social inclusion, and assist work to mitigate the effects of welfare reform.The Fund also aims to support local organisations to work in partnership. SCVO hopes the pilot will inform Scottish Government funding streams to community based organisations in the future.

The following organisations can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000: Charities. Voluntary organisations. Social enterprises. Community organisations. Volunteering bodies. Co-operatives. Housing associations. Credit unions.

Applicants must have an annual income of £200,000 or less in 2014/15.Funding is available for projects to achieve one or more of the following criteria:

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Expanding/developing an organisation’s capacity in order to meet demand relating to welfare reform.

Developing a pilot project which focuses on tackling the impact of welfare reform and inequality. Help bringing organisations together in partnership to support people. Developing people’s ability to prevent them from reaching crisis point.

The deadline for applications is 29 May 2015 (5pm).Full details can be found on the SCVO website

Climate Challenge Fund (currently closed)

The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is a Scottish Government programme, managed and developed by Keep Scotland Beautiful. The CCF provides funding for community groups to tackle climate change. Grants are available to support community-led projects that reduce local carbon emissions, make community improvements and help communities cope with the impacts of climate change. Funding is also available for young people to run projects that will reduce local carbon emissions through the Junior Climate Challenge Fund   (JCCF).

The Ideas Bank contains templates of eligible Climate Challenge Fund projects which community groups can use to prepare an application to the CCF. 

Funding for businesses individuals & home owners:

*See - Art Funding and Sports Funding as some programmes are also open to individuals.

Energy Saving Trust

For home owners there are a number of schemes available to help with the costs of having energy-saving improvements fitted in your home visit Energy Saving Trust

Green Deal - A Government-backed scheme to help you make cost-effective energy saving improvements. Instead of paying for the full cost of the improvements up front, you pay over time through a charge added to your electricity bill.

ECO (Energy Company Obligation) - Funding from the big six energy suppliers to support energy improvements for people on certain benefits, for those in solid wall properties and for households in the poorest parts of the country.

Find out more about Green Deal and ECO.

Feed-in Tariffs - On-going financial support for people generating electricity from renewable sources such as solar PV and wind. Find out more about generating your own energy.

Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) - A one-off payment to households installing renewable heating systems such as heat pumps, wood boilers or solar water heating. Find out about phase 2 of the RHPP.

Princes Youth Trust

Development Awards for 25 year olds and under help tackle financial barriers that may be preventing you from accessing education, training or employment grant funding

Individual Learning Accounts (ILA)

Updated 10/12/15

ILA - Annual funding for individual to attend approved training courses.

Recycling And Waste LP (RAW) - Funding for waste infrastructure, targeting smaller-scale recycling and waste projects across the UK.

The Recycling and Waste LP (RAW) has been set up with £50 million of investment through the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB). The Fund will be managed by Foresight Group LLP, which will raise at least a further £50 million from private sector co-investors to match GIB’s investment.

The UK Green Investment Bank was launched in November 2012.  With £3.8 billion of funding from the UK Government, it is the first bank of its kind in the world.  It is a "for profit" bank, whose mission is to accelerate the UK's transition to a greener economy, and to create an enduring institution, operating independently of Government.

Foresight has been managing investment funds on behalf of institutions and retail clients for 30 years. With a background in Private Equity and Venture Capital, Foresight has diversified activities and today manages institutional funds principally in European Infrastructure (Solar and PPP), Environmental and UK small cap Private Equity, including six years of specific Infrastructure experience.

This £50 million fund is for waste infrastructure, targeting smaller-scale recycling and waste projects across the UK. The investment by the Green Investment Bank will be used to fund biopower projects that will put the UK at the forefront of this innovative green technology, turning local waste wood to electricity.

For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:

Foresight Group, The Shard, 32 London Bridge St, London, SE1 9SG, Tel: 020 3667 8100 E-mail Contact

Funding for young people

Scotch Whisky Action Fund - Launched in December 2013, the five-year £500,000 Fund offer grants of up to £25,000 to support and develop a range of projects/initiatives which deliver targeted interventions designed to tackle alcohol-related harms across three themes: young people under the age of 18 years; families; and communities.

Applications from new/innovative or pilot initiatives which aim to test new approaches within these themes and which will offer learning that others can use are particularly welcomed as are applications from existing projects which can demonstrate success in reducing harm.

Funding is available for the following:

Preventative projects that aim to reduce alcohol-related harm within communities, families, and young people aged 18 and under.

Projects that aim to educate people and communities about the dangers and consequences of misusing alcohol.

The development of new, innovative projects designed to reduce alcohol-related harms. Pilot projects that will test out new initiatives and ideas designed to promote responsible attitudes to

alcohol consumption and prevent alcohol-misuse. Projects that promote alternative leisure and lifestyle choices for adults and young people to prevent

alcohol-misuse.

The funding can be used for:

Salary costs for new posts.Running costs and venue hire for the expansion or development of services and activities.Sessional worker costs related to new services and activities.Volunteer expenses.

Updated 10/12/15

Small items of equipment where these are needed to expand or develop services and activities.Miscellaneous start-up costs.

CashBack for Communities - A Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland. Due to the unique way in which CashBack is funded, it is inherently difficult to forecast when new monies will become available.

CashBack is a managed fund which allocates funding to partner organisations to delivery projects across Scotland. 

There are a number of focused CashBack funded grants schemes available.  Each fund has its own focus, criteria and funding deadline dates. 

Creative Scotland  - CashBack for Creativity

Prince's Trust Development Awards

Youth Scotland - Small Grants Scheme

YouthLink Scotland  - Youth Work Fund

Facilities

The Highland Children's Trust is a charitable trust set up in 1983 following the closure of a local children's Home to help with the educational needs of young people in the Highlands of Scotland. It helps students, schoolchildren and families meet the costs of education. Please check what we offer and our eligibility criteria before submitting an application to see if you think we can help.

The grants available for:-

Student Hardship Funding

If you are at college or university and finding it hard to manage financially, the Trust may be able to help with a small grant towards your expenses.

School or Educational trips

If you have a child attending a Highland school who wants to go on a trip and you cannot afford the whole cost, we may be able to make a grant towards your child attending if they would not otherwise be able to go.

Family Holidays

Where a family would not normally be able to have a holiday, The Trust  runs a scheme whereby the children of a family (accompanied by an adult) may have a holiday.  No foreign holidays are considered - a copy of the current scheme can be obtained by application to the administrator

Educational items for children with special educational needs

In certain circumstances help may be given towards the cost of educational equipment for children who have special educational needs

Contact:

The Highland Children’s Trust 105A Castle Street Inverness IV2 3EA 01463 243872. info@hctrust.co.uk

http://www.hctrust.co.uk/Welcome.html

Updated 10/12/15

Also see - Tesco Fund Above

Big lottery Fund - Young Start - Aims to create opportunities for children and young people aged between 8 and 24 to help realise their potential. They are awarding grants between £10,000 – £50,000 for projects that meet one or more of the following programme outcomes:

Connected – Younger and older generations are better connected and have more understanding and respect for each other

Enterprising – Young people are better prepared for getting a job or starting a business.

Confident – Children and young people have more confidence and skills

Healthy – Children and young people have better physical, mental and emotional health

In particular they are keen to fund intergenerational projects in the following areas: North Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross, Highland, South Ayrshire, Midlothian.

Intergenerational groups may be eligible for funding if they can show that at least 75% of the project beneficiaries will be aged 8-24.

Third sector organisations can apply and grants can run between one to two years. They are interested in projects that have been designed to ensure that everyone can take part, as well as projects that focus on specific groups of children and young people.

Young Start can fund 100 per cent of project costs. However, they can also fund part of a larger project if additional funding is in place. If they are only funding part of a project, the total project cost should be no more than £100,000. This is a rolling programme so groups can apply at any time.

More information can be found on our website and the enquiry team are happy to answer any questions regarding the funding or application process. They can be contacted on free-phone number 03001237110 or email.

Community Growing Projects

Dobbies Garden Centre - Here We Grow; encouraging our local communities to get growing.

Here We Grow is a great way for us to help local communities develop green space in their area, giving everyone the chance to appreciate the wonders of local gardens and outdoor space.

Here We Grow also encourages local community groups, projects, schools and charities to enjoy planting and growing in their own gardens, by offering products, equipment, support and help (but not cash donations). 

In the past, we’ve organised school sensory gardens and veggie patches. We’ve provided garden makeovers at homes of families in need. We’ve planted trees at elderly homes and disability centres. Wherever we can, we’ve helped.

https://www.dobbies.com/media/156768/Here-We-Grow-application-form.doc

Each Dobbies garden centre manages its own local programme for Here We Grow, so if you would like to put your group forward for support (including if you’re a national charity looking for support on a local level), please contact your nearest Dobbies Garden Centre and ask for our Community Champion.

Find your nearest Dobbies store.

Housing Development – Young People

Updated 10/12/15

LandAid has launched an empty properties funding programme to bring empty properties into use for young people in housing need. LandAid will fund work across the UK which turns empty properties into supported accommodation for young people who are either homeless, or at severe risk of becoming homeless. LandAid welcomes applications from organisations with experience in renovating empty properties. The government’s Empty Homes Community Grants Programme ended in mid-2015 after bringing almost 2,000 properties back into use. There is much more still to do - there are around 200,000 empty homes in England alone.

The fund will open annually to take applications when they have adequate funding (£1 million funding programme)

http://www.landaid.org/our-cause-impact/applying-funding-support